Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership
July 25, 2007 – For Immediate Release
Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership
to Honor First Graduating Class
Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino to Participate in Historic Event
BOSTON – Twenty-eight people of color from the Greater Boston area will comprise the first graduating class of the Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership (IDCL) on Monday, July 30, 2007, at Suffolk University Law School.
Governor Deval Patrick will be the keynote speaker, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino will deliver welcoming remarks.
The IDCL recently offered a 16-week training program at Suffolk University for current and aspiring political candidates, appointees, public servants and campaign staff. The program was divided into four distinct training tracks: Candidate Training, Public Administration, Adaptive Leadership and Public Policy. Each track combined skill-building exercises and briefings, with modules designed to enhance leadership capabilities.
The IDCL class reflected diversity across age, class, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, education, profession, and political affiliation. Sixty percent of the trainees were men, 40 percent were women. Their ages ranged from 22-60 years; they represented 11 countries; and they worked in the business sector, private sector, non-profit and government sectors. One participant is a medical doctor, while another is a grassroots activist. All are committed to public service.
One of the primary goals of the program was to build relationships that create and sustain community among aspiring and current leaders who are engaged in public life.
"This Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership program contributes to much-needed diversifying of government and campaigns,” said Giovanna Negretti, executive director of ¿Oíste?, the Latino Civic Education Initiative and lead managing partner of the IDCL.
“Within the next three years, these faces will be the next generation of public servants in places such as Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge, Somerville, and Framingham.”
April Taylor, a program graduate from Dorchester, said: “I now hope to pursue what matters most…a career in politics that is grounded, dedicated and committed to creating a diverse constellation of representative democracy for us all.”
Said Troy Huynh of Jamaica Plain: “We have a mission, a challenge before us: What can we do to better our Greater Boston, our home, our community? We have been provided with the tools. Let’s get to work!”
¿Oíste? was in charge of the overall administration of the program and curriculum development, while MassVOTE was mainly responsible for the development and implementation of the recruitment and admission process. Suffolk University provided the classroom space, administrative and academic support -- including lectures from a number of professors -- and assistance with curriculum development.
"It has been quite an opportunity to work with ¿Oíste? and MassVote to help prepare a diverse group for civic leadership,” said Suffolk University Government Professor Teri Fair. “All of the participants have worked hard and should be proud of what they have accomplished.
I am pleased that Suffolk University could be a part of this path-breaking initiative.”
The graduation will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, July 30, 2007, at Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Boston. Invited guests include elected officials, government appointees, funding representatives, distinguished educators, and business and community leaders.
Funding for the IDCL program was provided by The Boston Foundation, The New Community Fund, The Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation, The Hyams Foundation, Access Strategies Fund and The Jobin-Leeds Partnership for Democracy and Education, LLC.
The mission of the IDCL is to develop a new generation of leaders of color committed to public service in order to ensure a more representative democracy and a diverse civic community in Greater Boston. The IDCL will provide education and training opportunities to enable individuals from diverse political backgrounds to successfully run for elective office, manage and run political campaigns and serve in all levels of government.
July 25, 2007 – For Immediate Release
Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership
to Honor First Graduating Class
Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino to Participate in Historic Event
BOSTON – Twenty-eight people of color from the Greater Boston area will comprise the first graduating class of the Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership (IDCL) on Monday, July 30, 2007, at Suffolk University Law School.
Governor Deval Patrick will be the keynote speaker, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino will deliver welcoming remarks.
The IDCL recently offered a 16-week training program at Suffolk University for current and aspiring political candidates, appointees, public servants and campaign staff. The program was divided into four distinct training tracks: Candidate Training, Public Administration, Adaptive Leadership and Public Policy. Each track combined skill-building exercises and briefings, with modules designed to enhance leadership capabilities.
The IDCL class reflected diversity across age, class, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, education, profession, and political affiliation. Sixty percent of the trainees were men, 40 percent were women. Their ages ranged from 22-60 years; they represented 11 countries; and they worked in the business sector, private sector, non-profit and government sectors. One participant is a medical doctor, while another is a grassroots activist. All are committed to public service.
One of the primary goals of the program was to build relationships that create and sustain community among aspiring and current leaders who are engaged in public life.
"This Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership program contributes to much-needed diversifying of government and campaigns,” said Giovanna Negretti, executive director of ¿Oíste?, the Latino Civic Education Initiative and lead managing partner of the IDCL.
“Within the next three years, these faces will be the next generation of public servants in places such as Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge, Somerville, and Framingham.”
April Taylor, a program graduate from Dorchester, said: “I now hope to pursue what matters most…a career in politics that is grounded, dedicated and committed to creating a diverse constellation of representative democracy for us all.”
Said Troy Huynh of Jamaica Plain: “We have a mission, a challenge before us: What can we do to better our Greater Boston, our home, our community? We have been provided with the tools. Let’s get to work!”
¿Oíste? was in charge of the overall administration of the program and curriculum development, while MassVOTE was mainly responsible for the development and implementation of the recruitment and admission process. Suffolk University provided the classroom space, administrative and academic support -- including lectures from a number of professors -- and assistance with curriculum development.
"It has been quite an opportunity to work with ¿Oíste? and MassVote to help prepare a diverse group for civic leadership,” said Suffolk University Government Professor Teri Fair. “All of the participants have worked hard and should be proud of what they have accomplished.
I am pleased that Suffolk University could be a part of this path-breaking initiative.”
The graduation will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, July 30, 2007, at Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Boston. Invited guests include elected officials, government appointees, funding representatives, distinguished educators, and business and community leaders.
Funding for the IDCL program was provided by The Boston Foundation, The New Community Fund, The Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation, The Hyams Foundation, Access Strategies Fund and The Jobin-Leeds Partnership for Democracy and Education, LLC.
The mission of the IDCL is to develop a new generation of leaders of color committed to public service in order to ensure a more representative democracy and a diverse civic community in Greater Boston. The IDCL will provide education and training opportunities to enable individuals from diverse political backgrounds to successfully run for elective office, manage and run political campaigns and serve in all levels of government.
Mariellen Norris
617-573-8450
